Mariano Rivera Hopes Jackie Robinson Statue Vandals Will Be Caught

Rivera told the New York Daily News Sunday he hopes police find whoever scrawled the messages of hate in black marker. Rivera, who wears a No. 42 jersey as Robinson did, said the vandalism was disrespectful and unacceptable.

On Wednesday, a swastika, along with the phrases “Heil Hitler,” “die n****r,” “f**k n****r,” and “f**k Jackie Robinson” were all found scrawled on the statue, which depicts Hall of Famers Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese in a famous pose from 1947, 1010 WINS reported.

The Department of Parks and Recreation removed the graffiti from the statue on Thursday.

But police have not arrested anyone in connection with the defacement and are still investigating.

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Adam F. Hutton

I have a Master's degree in Political Science and a Bachelor's degree in Media Studies. I'm a journalist and political scientist who writes about politics and media at Politics Starts Here and Journalism Ends Here. I tweet from @adamfhutton and @JournalismEnds.